When the Dust Settles: Removing Blight, But Spreading Toxins

Data regarding ongoing demolitions of blighted properties in cities across the U.S. has turned up some unexpected consequences: the spread of lead toxins into the surrounding community.

2 minute read

February 25, 2017, 9:00 AM PST

By jwilliams @jwillia22


Baltimore Demolition

danielle_blue / flickr

Eilís O’Neill of The Nationreports on the potentially devastating environmental consequences of blight removal. Older homes being demolished will often contain lead-based paint that when released into the atmosphere can be inhaled and absorbed into the bloodstream of children nearby. Studies have shown the harmful impacts of elevated lead in the bloodstream of infants, including " learning disabilities, speech delays, hearing loss, lowered IQ, and increased hyperactivity and aggression."

In cities, such as Detroit, where removal of older homes is an ongoing process, children in the vicinity of the demolition are now showing elevated blood-lead levels.

...in 2016, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the city’s blood-lead levels spiked. While this unsettling uptick coincided with increased testing of vulnerable populations, some critics say the sharp increase can’t be attributable to testing alone, and that the city is removing lead with one hand while adding it back with another.

For these critics, the blame for the spike lies with a federally funded “blight removal” program that is perhaps the biggest housing-demolition program in history.

O'Neill reports that currently there are three demolition strategies in use: the dry method which is the quickest and easiest, but tends to kick up the most dust; the wet-wet protocol, which includes wetting the house during the demolition process to keep most of the dust contained to within 350 feet of the site; and the newer Baltimore protocol, which covers the house in plastic and keeps the house wet with multiple hoses throughout the demo process. The Baltimore protocol has been shown to limit dust exposure to approximately within 60 feet of the demo site.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 in The Nation

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

7 hours ago - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.